JP2018532986A - Paraffin distributor for embedding machine and embedding machine equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention achieves heating uniformity in a paraffin distributor. The present invention provides a paraffin dispensing device for an embedding machine and an embedding machine including the same, and the paraffin dispensing device includes a distribution pipe having a first end and a second end. A flow valve 120 provided in the distribution pipe 110, a paraffin distribution outlet 131, a paraffin outlet member 130 connected to the first end 111 of the distribution pipe 110, the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120, and the Heating strip 140 attached to the paraffin outlet member 130, and uniform heating and uniform heat transfer to the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130 can be realized. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an embedding machine for enclosing a sample in paraffin, specifically to a paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine, and the present invention further includes an embedding machine including the paraffin dispensing apparatus. About.

  The embedding machine is an apparatus for enclosing a sample in paraffin. Molten paraffin is transported from a paraffin container that can be heated by a paraffin distributor to a sample cassette to embed the sample. The paraffin distribution device usually includes a distribution pipe, a flow valve provided in the distribution pipe, and a paraffin outlet member connected to one end of the distribution pipe. In order to avoid the occurrence of clogging due to the solidification of paraffin, it is usual to heat the paraffin distributor with a heating wire or a heating strip. However, it is difficult to wind the heating wire around the paraffin distributor, and it is difficult to uniformly wind the heating wire, which affects the heating uniformity of the paraffin distributor. Moreover, since the volume of the flow valve is large and it is usually necessary to provide a separate heating member to heat the flow valve, the cost increases. If the temperature at a certain position of the paraffin distributor is too low, the paraffin is solidified and hardly flows. If the temperature of the paraffin distributor is too high, the paraffin will decompose and become unusable. Therefore, there is a need to improve the prior art paraffin dispensing apparatus.

  The object of the present invention is to solve at least one technical problem in the prior art.

  Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention provides a paraffin dispensing device for an embedding machine, the paraffin dispensing device having a first pipe and a second pipe, a flow valve provided in the pipe, A paraffin outlet member having a paraffin distribution outlet and connected to a first end of the distribution pipe; and a heating strip attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve, and the paraffin outlet member, so that the heating strip is evenly distributed to the distribution pipe, the flow valve, and the paraffin outlet member. Heating and uniform heat transfer can be achieved. Further, since the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member, there is no need to wrap the heating strip, so that the manufacturing is simple and the cost is low.

  Optionally, the flow valve has a valve body, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, the valve body has an outlet and an inlet, and a first end of the inlet pipe is connected to the inlet. The second end of the inlet pipe is connected to the distribution pipe, the first end of the outlet pipe is connected to the outlet, and the second end of the outlet pipe is connected to the distribution pipe. With such a structure, the connection between the flow valve and the distribution pipe is simplified.

  Alternatively, the central axis of the outlet pipe and the central axis of the inlet pipe are the same axis. Such a system makes it easier for paraffin to flow.

  Optionally, the paraffin dispensing device further includes a heat conduction pad provided between the flow valve and the heating strip for uniformly transferring heat generated by the heating strip to the flow valve. Optionally, the thermal conduction pad is attached to the outer surface of the flow valve and the heating strip. Providing a heat conduction pad between the flow valve and the heating strip ensures uniform heat transfer between the flow valve and the heating strip and ensures that heat is not concentrated in one position. Can do.

  Optionally, the paraffin dispensing device further comprises a silicone tape that is wrapped around the distribution pipe so that the heating strip is in close contact with the surface of the heating strip and the distribution pipe. Thereby, the uniformity of heat transfer can be further ensured.

  Optionally, the paraffin outlet member has a mounting hole, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the paraffin in the paraffin outlet member is provided in the mounting hole, thereby detecting the detected temperature of the paraffin. The heating power of the heating strip can be controlled based on the above. Since the temperature of the paraffin outlet member is more important than other locations, a temperature sensor is provided in the paraffin outlet member. The temperature sensor can accurately detect the temperature in the paraffin outlet member, thereby avoiding the low or high temperature of the paraffin outlet member.

  Optionally, the heating power of the portion of the heating strip attached to the paraffin outlet member is greater than the heating power of the other portion of the heating strip. Thereby, cooling of paraffin can be prevented at the time of distribution.

  Optionally, the heating power of the portion of the heating strip attached to the flow valve is greater than the heating power of the portion of the heating strip attached to the distribution pipe. Thereby, it can be ensured that the paraffin passes smoothly and the flow rate of the paraffin is accurately measured.

  Optionally, the heating strip includes an outer insulating layer, an inner heating member embedded in the outer insulating layer, and an adhesive layer provided on an outer surface of the outer insulating layer, and the heating strip includes the adhesive Layers are attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member.

  Optionally, the outer insulating layer of the heating strip is polyimide, and the inner heating member is a wire-like or sheet-like resistor.

  Optionally, the heating strip extends along the axial direction of the distribution pipe. Thereby, attachment of a heating strip becomes convenient and the distribution pipe can be heated more uniformly.

  Optionally, the heating strip has an adhesive layer, and the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member by the adhesive layer. Thereby, fixation with a heating strip, the said distribution pipe, the said flow valve, and the said paraffin outlet member is realizable by a simple system.

  An embodiment of the present invention further provides an embedding machine, wherein the embedding machine includes a body and a paraffin distributor, and has a paraffin container for storing paraffin in the body, the paraffin distributor being The paraffin distributor for the embedding machine described above, wherein the second end of the distribution pipe of the paraffin distributor is connected to the paraffin container.

It is the schematic of the paraffin distribution apparatus for embedding machines concerning one Example of this invention. It is the schematic of the paraffin distribution apparatus for embedding machines which concerns on another one Example of this invention. It is the partial schematic of the paraffin distribution apparatus for embedding machines which concerns on another one Example of this invention. It is the schematic of the paraffin distribution apparatus for embedding machines which concerns on another one Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, and examples of the embodiments will be shown in the drawings. In the following, the embodiments described with reference to the drawings are illustrative and are intended to interpret the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

  In the description of the present invention, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “left”, and “right” are for illustrative purposes only, and are for explaining or understanding the present invention. It should not be understood as limiting the invention.

  A paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the paraffin distribution apparatus 100 for embedding machines which concerns on one Example of this invention contains a distribution pipe, a flow valve, a paraffin outlet member, and a heating strip.

  The distribution pipe has a first end and a second end, and a flow valve is provided in the distribution pipe. The paraffin outlet member has a paraffin dispensing outlet and is connected to the first end of the distribution pipe, and the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member.

  In this specification, the term “attachment” means that the heating strip is in direct or indirect contact with the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member, and the heating strip extends linearly, or the distribution pipe. It means that it may be spirally extended to one round or less. In the prior art, when the heating wire is wound around the paraffin dispensing device, it means that the heating wire is wound around the paraffin dispensing device so as to exceed one turn and fixed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the heating strip is linearly extended, and the end of the heating strip near the paraffin outlet member extends along the outer peripheral surface of the paraffin outlet member with a certain length, for example, The end of the heating strip close to the paraffin outlet member is U-shaped so as to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the paraffin outlet member, which also means “attachment”.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member, the heat transfer is uniform, and the heating to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member is uniform. It is. Further, since there is no need to wrap the heating strip, the manufacturing is simple and the cost is low.

  Hereinafter, a paraffin dispensing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paraffin dispensing apparatus 100 for embedding machines according to some specific embodiments of the present invention includes a distribution pipe 110, a flow valve 120, a paraffin outlet member 130, and a heating strip. 140. The distribution pipe 110 includes a first end (left end in FIG. 1) 111, a second end (right end in FIG. 1) 112, and a tube body 113. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube body 113 is a circular tube, that is, the cross section of the tube body 113 is circular. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The cross section may have another shape, for example, a rectangle.

  The flow valve 120 is provided in the distribution pipe 110. Specifically, the flow valve 120 is disposed in a substantially middle portion of the distribution pipe and is closer to the right end of the distribution pipe. A person skilled in the art can understand that the present invention does not particularly limit the mounting position of the flow valve.

  The flow valve 120 has a valve body 121, an inlet pipe 122, and an outlet pipe 123. The valve body 121 has an outlet and an inlet (not shown), and the inlet pipe 122 has a first end ( The right end in FIG. 1 is connected to the inlet, and the second end (left end in FIG. 1) is connected to the pipe body 113 of the distribution pipe 110.

  The outlet pipe 123 has a first end (left end in FIG. 1) connected to the outlet and a second end (right end in FIG. 1) connected to the pipe body 113 of the distribution pipe 110. In this embodiment, the central axis of the outlet pipe 123 and the central axis of the inlet pipe 122 are the same axis, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the central axis of the outlet pipe 123 and the central axis of the inlet pipe 122 are the same axis. It can be understood that this is not necessary.

  The paraffin outlet member 130 is connected to the first end 111 of the distribution pipe 110 and has a paraffin distribution outlet (distribution nozzle) 131 for distributing paraffin. In the present embodiment, the opening of the paraffin distribution outlet 131 faces downward, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Since the paraffin is distributed from the paraffin outlet member 130, the temperature of the paraffin in the paraffin outlet member has a relatively large influence on the paraffin distribution effect. As shown in FIG. 2, in some preferred embodiments, the paraffin outlet member 130 has a mounting hole 132, and a temperature sensor 133 is provided in the mounting hole 132, and the temperature sensor 133 is within the paraffin outlet member 130. Detect the temperature of paraffin. Based on the detected temperature of the paraffin, the heating power of the heating strip is controlled. Preferably, the temperature sensor 133 is provided in a hollow portion in the paraffin outlet member 130. Optionally, the temperature sensor 133 is fixed in the mounting hole 132 via a pad 134 and a screw 135. Thereby, the temperature sensor 133 can detect the temperature of the paraffin in the paraffin outlet member 130 accurately, and can avoid that the temperature in the paraffin outlet member 130 is too high or too low.

  The heating strip 140 is attached to the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130. Specifically, the heating strip 140 is provided on the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120, and the paraffin outlet member 130 by an attachment method instead of being wound. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the heating strip 140 extends along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the distribution pipe 110 and directly contacts the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130. Yes. Alternatively, the heating strip 140 may be inclined at a constant angle with respect to the axial direction of the distribution pipe 110, or may be spirally extended around one axis or less around the axial direction of the distribution pipe 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heating strip 140 is attached to the pipe body 113 of the distribution pipe 110, the first end 111, the inlet pipe 122 and outlet pipe 123 of the flow valve 120, and the paraffin outlet member 130. One skilled in the art can appreciate that the left end of the heating strip 140 surrounds at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the paraffin outlet member, for example, the left end of the heating strip 140 may be U-shaped.

  In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the heating strip 140 generates heat at the four locations A, B, C, D of the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130. The power is different, which keeps the temperature at each position uniform. The generated power at different positions of the heating strip 140 can be calculated from the material and volume of the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120, and the paraffin outlet member 130. Preferably, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130 are large in volume and are attached to the paraffin outlet member 130 of the heating strip 140 (ie, located at position A) because the paraffin is distributed from the paraffin outlet member 130. The heating power of the part is larger than the heating power of the other part of the heating strip 140, and the solidification and overheating of the paraffin can be prevented during distribution. The heating power of the portion of the heating strip 140 attached to the flow valve 120 (ie, located at position C) is the portion of the heating strip 140 attached to the distribution pipe 110 of the heating strip 140 (ie, located at locations B and D). It is larger than the heat generation power and smaller than the heat generation power of the part attached to the paraffin outlet member 130 of the heating strip 140, so that it is possible to ensure that the paraffin flows smoothly and the flow rate of the paraffin is accurately measured. The distribution effect is improved, and the occurrence of clogging due to the solidification of paraffin and the overheating of the paraffin can be avoided.

  Moreover, a separate temperature sensor is arrange | positioned at each of four positions (A, B, C, D), and the temperature of the paraffin in each position can be measured. Such separate measurements allow the heating power at the four positions to be individually adjusted.

  In some embodiments, the heating strip 140 uses a Kapton (DuPont) heating strip with adhesive. Optionally, the heating strip 140 includes an outer insulating layer, an inner heating member embedded in the outer insulating layer, and an adhesive layer provided on the outer surface of the outer insulating layer. The heating strip 140 is attached to the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120, and the paraffin outlet member 130 by an adhesive layer. This further simplifies the operation. Optionally, the outer insulating layer of the heating strip 140 is polyimide, and the inner heat generating member is a wire-like or sheet-like resistor. This simplifies the manufacture of the heating strip 140.

  Hereinafter, the operation process of the paraffin dispensing apparatus 10 for an embedding machine according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described.

  Molten paraffin from the heatable paraffin container of the embedding machine enters the distribution pipe 110 through the opening 114 in the second end 112, after which the paraffin flows through the flow valve 120 and paraffin distribution in the paraffin outlet member 130. Distributed by the outlet 131, for example, in a sample cassette. In the flowing process, the heating strip 140 heats the paraffin to avoid clogging due to paraffin solidification.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the paraffin dispensing apparatus 100 further includes a heat conductive pad 150. The heat conduction pad 150 is provided between the flow valve 120 and the heating strip 140, and is attached to the outer surface of the flow valve 120 and the heating strip 140, so that the heat generated by the heating strip 140 is uniformly applied to the flow valve 120. introduce. In the present embodiment, the heat conductive pad 150 is attached to the outer surface of the flow valve 120 and the adhesive layer (not shown) of the heating strip 140 by a method called attachment. By providing a heat conduction pad 150 between the flow valve 120 and the heating strip 140, heat transfer between the flow valve 120 and the heating strip 140 is uniform, ensuring that heat is not concentrated in one position. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the embedding paraffin dispensing apparatus 100 is wrapped around the distribution pipe 110 and the heating strip 140 such that the heating strip 140 is further in close contact with the surface of the distribution pipe 110. Silicone tape 160 is further included. In this embodiment, since the silicone tape 160 is wound around the heating strip 140, the silicone tape can be held so that the heating strip 140 is in close contact with the outer surfaces of the distribution pipe 110, the flow valve 120 and the paraffin outlet member 130. Thereby, the uniformity of heat transfer can be further ensured.

  An embedding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body and a paraffin distributor, and has a paraffin container (not shown) for storing paraffin in the body. The second end of the paraffin distributor of the paraffin distributor described may be connected to a paraffin container.

  In the description of the present invention, the description referring to terms such as “one embodiment” or “example” means the specific features, configurations, materials, or features described with reference to the embodiment or examples. It is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, exemplary expressions for the above terms are not necessarily referring to the same examples or examples. In addition, the specific features, configurations, materials, or characteristics described can be combined appropriately in any one or more of the embodiments or examples. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can combine and combine the features of the different embodiments or examples described herein, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples, as long as they do not contradict each other.

100, paraffin distributor 110, distribution pipe 120, flow valve 130, paraffin outlet member 140, heating strip 111, first end 112, second end 113, pipe body 114, opening 121, valve body 122, inlet pipe 123, outlet Tube 131, paraffin distribution outlet 132, mounting hole 133, temperature sensor 134, pad 135, screw 150, heat conduction pad 160, silicone tape

Claims (13)

A distribution pipe having a first end and a second end;
A flow valve provided in the distribution pipe;
A paraffin outlet member having a paraffin distribution outlet and connected to the first end of the distribution pipe;
A heating strip attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member;
including,
A paraffin dispensing device for embedding machines. The flow valve has a valve body, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe, the valve body has an outlet and an inlet, a first end of the inlet pipe is connected to the inlet, and the inlet pipe A second end is connected to the distribution pipe, a first end of the outlet pipe is connected to the outlet, and a second end of the outlet pipe is connected to the distribution pipe;
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine according to claim 1. The central axis of the outlet pipe and the central axis of the inlet pipe are the same axis.
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine according to claim 2. The paraffin distributor for the embedding machine further includes a heat conduction pad that is provided between the flow valve and the heating strip and uniformly transfers heat generated by the heating strip to the flow valve.
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The paraffin distributor for the embedding machine further includes a silicone tape wound around the heating strip and the distribution pipe so that the heating strip is in close contact with the surface of the distribution pipe.
The paraffin distribution apparatus for embedding machines according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The paraffin outlet member has a mounting hole, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the paraffin in the paraffin outlet member is provided in the mounting hole.
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The heating power of the part attached to the paraffin outlet member of the heating strip is larger than the heating power of the other part of the heating strip,
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The heating power of the part attached to the flow valve of the heating strip is larger than the heating power of the part attached to the distribution pipe of the heating strip,
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to claim 7. The heating strip includes an outer insulating layer, an inner heating member embedded in the outer insulating layer, and an adhesive layer provided on an outer surface of the outer insulating layer, and the heating strip is separated from the distribution pipe by the adhesive layer. , Attached to the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member,
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The outer insulating layer of the heating strip is polyimide, and the inner heating member is a wire-like or sheet-like resistor,
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to claim 9. The heating strip extends along the axial direction of the distribution pipe,
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for embedding machines according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The heating strip has an adhesive layer, and the heating strip is attached to the distribution pipe, the flow valve and the paraffin outlet member by the adhesive layer.
The paraffin dispensing apparatus for an embedding machine according to claim 1. An embedding machine including a body and a paraffin dispensing device,
It has a paraffin container for storing paraffin in the body, and the paraffin distribution device is a paraffin distribution device for embedding machines according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the distribution pipe of the paraffin distribution device Is connected to the paraffin container,
An embedding machine characterized by that.

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